I know I have mentioned many times before that I drive for a championship-caliber team. I have known that since I started working with this team in 2006. Now you can believe me because we are looking like one. Jim O and the guys have our car running quick, fast, and consistent. Since the countdown started, we have qualified No. 2 twice and we have qualified no lower than fourth. We have advanced to the semifinals twice and the finals once. We also moved up five places in POWERade points to the number two position, which is the highest I have ever been. A lot of good things have been happening. It’s been a great few weeks for our KB Racing team and I am hopeful that more good things are in store for our team.

I believe we can finish number two in the world. That is an accomplishment in itself considering we only finished 13th last year. Realistically, the championship is out of our reach unless the points leader decides not to show up to the final two races of the season. Hopefully we will be able to keep our momentum going into 2009 and beyond and do even better than we have this year. In order to do this, we need to bring in a primary sponsor. When we aren’t racing, this is our main focus. Ben, Rachel, and John Glover have been dedicating a lot of time to this. We have been working closely with NHRA and the marketing firm, IMG, to secure a sponsor so we can keep our team together.

The good news on the sponsor hunt is that we have a new one for the last three races of 2008. Scott Revell, partner of Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) and Wilson Manifolds signed a deal with our team owner, Ken Black to be the title sponsor. We will promote the Florida race track during the Richmond, Las Vegas, and Pomona races. After complete renovation, Palm Beach International Raceway is going to be a state-of-the-art racing facility that was formerly Moroso Motorsports Park. There is a road course and karting facility. The quarter mile drag strip is all concrete. I know they are putting a lot of time, money, and effort into making it the best Raceway in North America. I think it will be a great asset to Motorsports. I look forward to testing there in the winter and racing there in the future.

We already know PBIR is a fast race track since it was on the side of our car this past weekend at our Richmond race. We came out in the first session of qualifying and went low e.t of the round. Then our KB Racing crew chief, Jim O, affirmed that we were going to dip into the seventies in the second session. I had no doubts. Sure enough, we went up there and ran a 3.799 which is the quickest we have gone in 1,000’ racing. We just missed being the first to do it by a matter of minutes. Then we went on to win the Full Throttle Pit Crew Challenge Award and so did our KB Racing teammates on Greg Anderson’s car.

All in all, Richmond was a really great weekend for us. Honestly though I was really bummed that we lost in the final to Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team, AGAIN. They are a great team and I have a lot of respect for them, but I know we can and will beat them. I feel like my team and my driving is getting better as the season progresses. My goal was to leave Virginia in second place, and we did so that’s obviously really cool. Also anytime I can win races and have palm trees all over my race car, it’s a good thing. I’m very much looking forward to the final two races of the season. I’m bummed that we have two weekends off.

I’m back at our shop in Michigan this week. I’m trying to stay busy and not stress out about our sponsor situation. I’m sure I will find something interesting to do. I’m glad the new season of all my favorite TV shows have started. I’ve been watching Dancing with the Stars, House, Samantha Who, and Pushing Daisies. Tonight I’ll try to watch the presidential debates and then change the channel after the first five minutes. I’ll check back soon.